Cricket
Financial boost for Lutterworth

LUTTERWORTH Cricket Club have been granted £43,200 from the England and Wales Cricket Trust Grant Aid Programme towards their ground development project.

The EWCT’s grant aid programme aims to finance capital projects, including renovations to improve facilities which contribute to sustaining and increasing participation.

Lutterworth were identified by the Leicestershire Cricket Board and by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as a club of strategic and developmental importance due to the grassroots game.

They have been given the money towards the cost of a four bay synthetic practice area which will boost their practice facilities. The total project cost was £57,600 but they have also received a £4,000 donation from The Lord’s Taverners and £1000 from Notts Sport.

Club Secretary Steve Masic said: “We were really surprised and delighted when we were awarded the grant because it had been a long application process and we urgently needed to upgrade our practice facilities.

“The new synthetic practice area is excellent and is in accordance with ECB specifications. This new facility will enable us to have a more structured coaching programme through our ECB qualified coaches and will benefit all ages - seniors and juniors.

“As well as the senior teams we have over 120 junior cricketers - boys and girls - and there is also a women’s team.

“The synthetic practice pitches are completely enclosed and are ideal for the development of young cricketers in a safe environment.

“They also have the advantage of being outside the match play area so we can have coaching taking place while a match is in progress.

“As part of our cricket development programme, Lutterworth Grammar School and Leicester Ladies CC play matches on the ground.

“The club has made good progress in recent years and we have achieved ECB Clubmark and Focus Club status which enabled us to apply for the grant with the support of the Leicestershire Cricket Board.

“We are extremely grateful to the England and Wales Cricket Trust for their most generous grant and we also acknowledge with gratitude the grants from the Lord’s Taverners and Notts Sport as well as the support of our Members and Vice Presidents.”

Brian Havill, EWCT Trustee, said: “The England and Wales Cricket Trust is pleased to support projects that sustain high quality participation and enhance facilities. It is important that cricket clubs have access to funding, such as through this grant aid programme, that allows them to make their facilities available to the local community and schools and community groups.”

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